Aciclovir with food and drink

It is important that you drink plenty of fluids while you are taking Aciclovir to prevent you becoming dehydrated, especially if you are elderly, suffer from kidney problems, receiving Aciclovir via injection or are taking a high dose of Aciclovir.

Pregnancy and breast- feeding

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.

Driving and using machines

Aciclovir is not likely to affect you being able to drive or use machinery. However, if you experience any difficulty or symptoms, it may be necessary to avoid driving or operating machinery or pursuing any activity in which full attention is required

How to take Aciclovir

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

■ These tablets are to be taken orally, dissolved in at least 50mls of water or swallowed whole with a glass of water.

■ The score line (present only in 400mg dispersible tablets) is not intended for breaking the tablet

The recommended doses are:

Adults

Treatment of Herpes Simplex infections

■ 200mg five times a day for 5 days at approximately 4 hour intervals (leaving out the night time dose)

■ Patients with severe infections, may need to take this medicine for more than 5 days

■ For patients with a severely low immune system (e.g. after a bone marrow transplant) or those suffering from gut absorption problems, a higher dose of 400mg five times a day may be given or alternatively, dosing via injection may be considered

For treatment of infections in patients with a low immune system:

■ 200mg four times a day at approximately 6 hour intervals

■ This dose may be changed to 400mg twice a day at approximately 12 hour intervals, 200 mg three times a day at approximately 8 hour intervals or twice a day at approximately 12 hour intervals

■ For patients with a severely low immune system or those suffering from gut absorption problems, a higher dose of 400mg four times a day may be given at approximately 6 hour intervals or alternatively, dosing via injection may be considered

■ Treatment should be interrupted at intervals of 6-12 months, in order to see if there are any possible changes in the natural history of the infection

For prevention of infections in patients with a low immune system:

■ 200mg five times a day for 5 days at approximately 4 hour intervals (leaving out the night time dose)

■ For patients with a severely low immune system (e.g. after a bone marrow transplant) or those suffering from gut absorption problems, a higher dose of 400mg five times a day may be given or alternatively, dosing via injection may be considered

■ The length of treatment will depend on the infection and its severity

Rare side effects: (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

■ Swelling of the deeper layers of the skin caused by a build-up of fluid (angioedema)

■ Effects on blood and urine tests

■ Shakiness (tremors)

■ Lack of voluntary co-ordination of muscle movements (ataxia)

■ Difficulty with speech (dysarthria)

■ Hallucinations

■ Mental health problems

■ Fits

■ Sleepiness (somnolence)

■ Disorder of the brain (encephalopathy)

■ Coma

The side effects listed above are generally reversible and usually reported in patients with kidney problems or with other pre-existing factors (See Section 2, "Warnings and precautions").

■ Looking pale and feeling tired (anaemia)

■ A reduction in white blood cells (leukopenia)

■ A reduction in blood platelets, which increases risk of bleeding or bruising (thrombocytophenia)

■ Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)

■ Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)

■ Kidney problems, failure or pain

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the internet at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5 How to store Aciclovir

■ Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

■ Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the blister/carton after "EXP". The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

■ Store below 25°C.

■ Store in original package.

■ Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use.

These measures will help to protect the environment.

Contents of the pack and other information

What Aciclovir contain:

■ Each tablet contains either 200mg or 400mg of active ingredient aciclovir